New Ford Focus

They’re not building it, but Ford Australia is hoping they’ll still come. Buyers, that is.

The latest version of the blue oval’s small car, the Focus, has arrived - but after rolling off a ship from Germany rather than out of the doors of Melbourne’s Broadmeadows plant as once planned.

Ford’s local executives may not want to peer at sales for the rival Holden Cruze, though. Its figures are already increasing since it sewed on a Made-in-Adelaide label earlier this year. And that’s before the hatchback version hits showrooms.

The Focus is immediately available in both hatch and sedan forms, though the irony – Ford would have built 40,000 Focuses locally from 2011 – is that supply will be constrained until the car’s production source switches from Europe to Thailand in mid 2012.

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That brings a free-trade agreement into play, but don’t necessarily expect pricing to drop from today’s starting price of $21,990.

Ford is trying to pitch the new Focus as a more grown-up small car to rival Volkswagen’s Golf, and that seems to include pricing – which goes up to $36,090.

Unlike similarly priced Cruze and Golf models, though, there’s no clever downsized engine employing a turbocharger. Instead, the Ambiente (there’s even a more flamboyant range of trim names to replace the rather dull CL, LX, etc of the old model) comes with a relatively humble 1.6-litre normally aspirated engine.

There’s little wrong with its refinement, but the 92kW four-cylinder asks for plenty of effort from the ball of your right foot and the manual gearbox desperately needs a sixth ratio for more relaxed freeway progress.

From $24,490, buyers can step up to a petrol engine with two litres of capacity that brings more power and torque, though it’s a similar case of gaining momentum smoothly and gradually rather than rapidly.

A 1.6-litre turbo ‘Ecoboost’ engine available in Europe sounds promising – more torque, even better fuel economy, and quicker performance – though Ford Australia has decided not to raid that particularly cupboard.

That leaves a 2.0-litre diesel, available from $30,500, as the only turbocharged engine on offer, and the pick of the bunch.

Mated to Ford’s smooth-shifting ‘Powershift’ transmission as standard where the dual-clutch auto is optional on the five-speed-manual petrols, it’s pleasantly quiet at idle and the usual loud clatter associated with small-cylinder diesels never materials as speeds rise.

The diesel’s refinement is reflected in other myriad improvements for all models. Tyre and wind noise is noticeably reduced, and the Focus’s ride, while a supple affair previously, now absorbs bumps with even less fuss after engineers tweaked the carry-over suspension.

And the Focus’s class-leading dynamics? Well, still there, though we didn’t unearth them in full guise until we hit winding roads in the base model.

The diesel versions have a front end that is less eager to turn into corners than its petrol counterparts, penalised by an engine that puts an extra 80kg over the nose, and the Titanium’s big, 18-inch tyres do a great job of sticking the Focus to the road without leaving room for much playfulness.

The base model doesn’t get the slightly firmer sports suspension of either the Sport or Titanium trims, though it does get the same torque vectoring system that helps to pull it around corners by constantly altering the amount of power being distributed to each front wheel.

Yet the lesser grip from its smaller, 16-inch tyres conversely shows the Focus’s beautifully balanced handling in its best light.

The steering, a Focus highlight in previous models, is now electric, though while it doesn’t feel as fluid as before it is highly accurate.

The driving position is also excellent, complemented by supremely comfortable seats and good vision. The rear bench is also one that gives the impression the designers also cared about rear seat comfort, while a tall passenger can fit behind a tall driver even if it’s on the snug side.

Interior design hasn’t been the Focus’s strongest suit since it debuted in 1998, but the third generation makes great strides here to add to the model’s greater maturity. It doesn’t look as classy as the Golf’s cabin but it’s also less conservative, with Ford’s ‘kinetic’ design language making a welcome transition from (the improved) exterior to the interior.

Combine the cabin comfort and the loping ride, and the Focus is now a car you’d happily travel in for hundreds of kilometres without fear of fatigue.

If you can afford the range-topping Titanium model that starts at $32,590, you also get a system that will automatically steer you into a parallel parking spot.

Regardless of where it’s produced, the Focus is better made than ever.

37 comments so far

No Eco Boost? what in hell is wrong with Ford Australia??

Ford Europe (and worldwide) are doing such great work, and when it comes for Ford Australia to make a decision, they just stuff that good work up.

I look forward with fear and loathing to what Ford Australia shall do to the new Focus ST and RS if they ever arrive... no doubt they screw up the release like they did with the last RS.

Commenter

darryltj

Date and time

August 04, 2011, 9:18AM

...and the Thai built version may not be cheaper? Why? I owned the 2003 version, and generally it was a good vehicle, also Euro-made. The brakes were expensive to repair but the handling was suburb. I guess the question for potential buyers is go for the Euro or the Thai?

Commenter

skifan

Location

Sydney

Date and time

August 04, 2011, 9:20AM

Nothing new...There's still a horrible delay, however, when the computer-controlled gearbox gets confused if you try to accelerate quickly away from a roundabout or junction after rolling up on the brakes rather than coming to a complete stop.My current auto petrol Focus LX does the same thing - long delay before deciding to take up a gear...

Commenter

bwright

Date and time

August 04, 2011, 9:32AM

Only a FIVE speed manual? No thanks.

Commenter

Captain Hindsight

Location

Brisbane

Date and time

August 04, 2011, 10:06AM

@darryltj, while I agree with your views on the no Eco Boost model being a major oversight / shafting of educated buyers, I suspect that the idea behind Ford Oz decision is to give them something new for "Series II". Also, if they dont pass the savings on from Thai production they may introduce the "Series II" with Ecoboost at the same price or with only a minimal price increase. Customers who know that Ecoboost engines exist and what benefits they give would be in the minority until they are "educated" by Fords advertising once it's available.

Commenter

Rick

Location

Wollongong

Date and time

August 04, 2011, 10:14AM

Give me a Renault or Citroen anyday.

Commenter

Daniel

Location

Sydney

Date and time

August 04, 2011, 11:08AM

@ Captain Hindsight - do yo ueven drive a manual? My car coudl easily do with two less gears. I'm sure th eonly reason they stick a 6-speed in it is so that it gets a lower ADR fuel consumption rating. In the real world, with 90% of it's peak torque available from idle and a 7000rpm redline, I really only use 1st, 2nd and 6th. 4th is handy at times but 3rd and 5th are completely unnecessary.

@ Rick - I think you might be right. All manufacturers know that Australian buyers will not pay a premium just to save a few cents at the bowser because petrol is still really cheap here. It works in Europe because fuel is 50% more expensive. If they wait until production switches to Thailand, they may be able to offer the ECOboost engine at a better price, assuming that engine will be available in Thai built vehicles..

Commenter

MotorMouth

Location

Sydney

Date and time

August 04, 2011, 11:29AM

I smell a panicked price drop coming along. 1.6 for $22K..!?! Tell 'em they're dreaming.. Ford seem to try their hardest to stuff up their best cars..... Let's not build a four cylinder small car in Australia... Diesel?... In a Territory?? Nah.. Lets put in a gas guzzling petrol turbo instead... Need I say more...

Commenter

Kit

Location

Gold Coast, Queensland

Date and time

August 04, 2011, 11:37AM

What does Ford care? Australia is a small market. They would be wrong though. Global blogging now ensures that Ford's reputation will suffer when brassed-off Aussies start giving them the finger.

Commenter

Kate

Date and time

August 04, 2011, 11:45AM

Like the previous model this will get good right ups re. handling ride etc, will be beat everything this side of Mazda3 & Golf in comparisons, but Aussies would rather buy cheap & cheerful hence it will be outsold but Hyundai i30, Toyota Corolla & Holden Cruze.I am glad they got rid of the ugly rear end of previous model, utting the taillights up on the pillars left an unresolved curve on the rear of the car which was ugly.